Ind. Lawmakers Draft Hate Crimes Bill

Indiana is one of five states without a hate crimes bill.

State Sen. Ron Alting

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A Hoosier state lawmaker is pushing for hate crimes legislation. 

State Senator Ron Alting (R-Lafayette) is teaming up with Senator Mike Bohacek (R-Michiana Shores) to release a draft of such a bill. 

It would give judges the ability to consider if bias was an aggravating factor in a crime. The draft bill lists biases as a crime victim’s race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, disability, national origin, ancestry and sexual orientation.

If it passes in the 2019 General Assembly, the potential law would allow for harsher prison sentences for those who commit a hate crimes. 

Indiana is one of just five states without a hate crimes law, which has been a focus of Indiana Statehouse Democrats in recent years. Their hopes received a major boost in July when Republican Governor Eric Holcomb called on lawmakers in the GOP-controlled House and Senate to pass a hate crimes law.

Last week, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce came out in support of a hate crimes law.

“We are pleased that Governor Holcomb is making this a priority,” said Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “Having a meaningful bias crimes statute in Indiana is not only the right thing to do, it is also important to helping our employers recruit and retain talented employees. Indiana is a welcoming place and we need to enact every policy possible to convey that message to those outside our state. As we work to attract top talent from all over the U.S. and the world, individuals need to know that their friends and families will be safe from discrimination.”

During the 2018 legislative session in January, a hate crimes bill died in committee before ever reaching the House or Senate.

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